When you live in an area threatened with fire ant activity, protecting your home and family from these dangerous pests is a priority. Many homeowners turn to do-it-yourself home remedies in attempts to control fire ants.

One of the most prevalent insects in the environment, ants are also leading household pests in the United States. Ants vary significantly in color and size, and have different food preferences, from proteins to fats and sweets.

For homeowners in many parts of the United States, carpenter bees rarely attract attention. However, homeowners in areas with large carpenter bee populations look at these wood-damaging insects differently.

Termites are found throughout the United States except Alaska. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that these destructive, wood-eating pests are behind nearly $40 billion in damage worldwide every year.

Of the 3,500 mosquito species in the world, only a few hundred bite humans. Unfortunately, those that do bite can spread diseases, including West Nile virus, dengue fever and malaria, which infects 247 million people worldwide each year.

Winter should be a season when the pest front quiets down, but a new year can bring plenty of insect action. Fresh-cut Christmas trees, potted holiday plants and fireplace wood can introduce pests into your home.

Seeing deer in your yard can be a beautiful encounter with nature — until you realize they are headed for your plants. After a winter of limited food supplies, browsing deer see your tender, long-awaited azalea buds and emerging hostas as inviting springtime buffets.

When ground-dwelling animal pests take up residence in your lawn, the results can be maddening. Gophers, moles and voles do extensive damage in a relatively short time, staying one step ahead of many homeowners. Without fast, effective action and the right animal-control products, your hard-won lawn can be destroyed. Victory over gophers, moles and voles depends on correctly identifying the culprit and meeting their challenges head on.

Chances are everyone has encountered pesky household ants at some point in time. However, not everyone has experienced the wrath of fire ants, which bite and sting igniting a painful sensation similar to the feeling of being burned by fire. These are ants that you definitely want to stay away from!

If you have ever crossed a Fire Ant, you would definitely remember. Fire Ants are red and black in color, live in mounds by the thousands, and worst of all, intrude and sting. Fire Ants are unique insects that lead interesting lives. Check out our infographic to learn more about the life of a Fire Ant!

When fire ants encroach on your territory, there's no time to sit on the sidelines. You've got to hit 'em fast and hit 'em hard. By the time their mounds are visible, fire ants have been hard at work for months, overtaking your property from below. These intruders have no respect for boundaries.

Protecting your lawn from fire ants, and your family and pets from painful fire ant bites, is a battle worth fighting. When it comes to ridding your yard of these pests and their unattractive mounds, your best line of defense is a sneak attack. Win the war on fire ants with bait that aims for the heart of the ant colony.

Insect pests are sneaky. They get into your house undetected, and aren't noticed until they've made themselves at home. Finding ants, silverfish and more unpleasant intruders, such as cockroaches, in your home is unsettling. But by taking the time to understand the habits of these and other invaders, you can control them and prevent infestation.

They lurk in closets, under beds and inside shoes. No, they are not monsters — although for people with arachnophobia, they might as well be — they're spiders, hiding in the cracks and crevices of your home. The United States is home to more than 3,000 varieties of spiders, 60 of which are venomous.1 So it's no wonder that these eight-legged arachnids are popular symbols of Halloween.

While a bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestation is definitely a distressing occurrence, the truth is, there are many misconceptions surrounding this 1/5-inch-long troublemaker. Discover how much you know about bedbugs by responding to the following true-or-false statements.

Just when you think your lawn has survived summer's stresses, patches of wilted, brown grass sound alarms. Though other problems may be in play, lawn grubs are likely culprits. Grub damage peaks in late summer and early fall, when these underground pests feast on grass roots. To limit the damage they cause, understand your opposition and stay ahead of their grubby games.

A brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) invasion of your home is an aggravating and embarrassing occurrence. After feeding on plants in your landscape during the warm months, these pests, which release an offensive odor when disturbed, gravitate toward the warmth and protection of the indoors in the fall. Your best line of defense when it comes to brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) is understanding them.

What's digging up your lawn, eating your vegetables or destroying your flowers? The identity of the destructive culprits depends on where you live and what's in your yard. Although insect and animal pests are problems nationwide, certain areas of the country are more prone to vermin. Here are some of the most common insect and animal pests and ways to get rid of them by region.*

Are you frustrated by mystery pests that eat your vegetables and destroy your plants? Do you wonder why you have an overabundance of spiders everywhere you turn? It can be difficult to identify the guilty party, or if you know what they are, how to get rid of them. Insect and animal pests are problems throughout the country, but certain regions are more prone to specific types. Below are some of the most common pests that affect the Midwest.*

What's digging up your lawn, eating your vegetables or destroying your flowers? The identity of the destructive culprits depends on where you live and what's in your yard. Although insect and animal pests are problems nationwide, certain areas of the country are more prone to vermin. Here are some of the most common insect and animal pests and ways to get rid of them by region.*

Have you noticed tunnels in your yard, yellow leaves, and half eaten vegetables in your garden? You may be aware that you have animal and insect pests, but aren’t sure what they are or what to do about them. Insect and animal pests are everywhere; however some regions attract specific types. Below are the most common animal and insect pests of the Pacific Northwest region.*

If you live in the South, then you are no stranger to insect and animal pests. However, it can be difficult to identify the culprit, and how to get rid of them once you do. Here are the usual suspects, and some tips on how to vanquish them from your lawn and garden.*

Summer months bring fun, sun … and summer pests. During warm days and nights, small and very hungry critters can do a great deal of damage to your garden plants. Read on to learn more about the most common pests of the Pacific Northwest and how to control them in your yard, so you can get back to the more enjoyable activities that the warm season has to offer.*

The South's warm summer days and nights bring abundant plant growth, which provides ever growing feasts for a variety of hungry pests. The following invaders are known for coming out in droves during the warmest months.*

What's digging up your lawn, eating your vegetables or destroying your flowers? The identity of the destructive culprits depends on where you live and what's in your yard. Although insect and animal pests are problems nationwide, certain areas of the country are more prone to vermin. Here are some of the most common insect and animal pests and ways to get rid of them by region.**

Rabbits may be cute and cuddly, but they can also be destructive pests- causing destruction to both gardens and trees. These furry creatures are just one of the multiple common pests that can be found in the Southwest. Here are some of the most common insect and animal pests that affect the Southwest region.*

Buying your first home generates a lot of excitement and a long list of new tasks and responsibilities. For most homeowners, home security is a top priority, but keeping your home safe from intruders means you have to think about more than just deadbolts and home alarms. Whether you live in an urban area or among rolling country hills, a welcoming committee of common pests is waiting to make your home their own. Understanding when and how pests operate will help you protect your biggest investment and prevent seasonal pest problems.

Summer has arrived, and with it the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Backyard barbecues and opening your house to fresh, warm breezes are hallmarks of what should be a carefree season. But insect pests could put a damper on your fun.

Every region has specific pests that they have to deal with and the Southern US is no different. Check out our video to learn more about how to treat and prevent pests common to the Southern United States.